MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
8.00pm BBC 2.
Coming this year from a new location - The National Trust Longshaw Estate in the heart of the Peak district National park.
The usual presenters and with the usual baby robins, cute things and lots of facts and figures.
It's not particularly my favourite program but it warrants more attention than this thread is getting.
If you watch it you might see some nice critters and learn something.
I ride round there a lot, I’m hoping that they keep quiet about some of the things up there or the local murdering gamekeepers may be alerted! That’s one good thing about the National Trust, no shooting and dogs on leads!
I know that’s two..
Last time I went for a ride round there, someone stole my original Kona Hei Hei from the back of the car.
Just got back from a walk around Great Fryup Dale in NY Moors. I saw more curlews than people. Loads of lapwings too and zillions of baby rabbits. Absolutely glorious!
Always seems strange that Springwatch more or less marks the start of (meteorological) summer, but I'll be tuning in despite my inner pedant's turmoil. Hope they devote some time to the wierd and wonderful stuff like bugs and fungi.
We went out with our local RSPB group yesterday in the Peak District. It was noticeable to the lack of raptures, probably due to high winds. No butterflies either, which was a shame. Extra sad not to see a cuckoo.
I'm guessing if this heavy rain and high winds keep on for the next few weeks, this will affect filming, more importantly affect the survival of many chicks that fledge at this time of the year.
Although our baby robin is a tough thing and is being looked after very well by 2 parents.
So can we presume Packham has got tickets to see Oasis? Looks like some interesting stuff coming over the next few weeks too.
FWIW we recently caught nearly mating hedgehogs on our garden camera - she was barking and backing away while he circled round leaning towards her, making some unsuccessful attempts to clamber onto her back.
Really glad Spring Watch is back, I'm sure I could feel my blood pressure going down as I watched tonight. Great stuff.
Something to avoid. I’m glad some enjoy it but the eco hypocrisy of the programme sticks in my craw
I'll be watching.
Loved that segment on dragonflies.
One of my favourite creatures and the info on just how complex their wings are... amazing. Never knew any of that.
It's been great so far. Hopefully Saturday's weather will improve enough for them to do some filming for butterflies and other insects that prefer to come out in the sun.
Loved the bit about dragonflies, especially as I'd just seen an impressive Emporer (haven't a clue how to post images)
Did Packham suggest that Puffins are actually getting a real Brexit benefit because we've stopped the Danes fishing for sand eels?
I think it’s been very poor so far, very little local content and not much film of wildlife other than on nests. I hope there is footage of the short and long eared owls flying as they are wonderful. I know the weather was against them at times but it’s not been raining 24 hours every day. The parade of very expensive jackets is very annoying to me, and I speak as a supporter of Chris Packham and Wild Justice.
I think it’s been very poor so far, very little local content and not much film of wildlife other than on nests. I hope there is footage of the short and long eared owls flying as they are wonderful. I know the weather was against them at times but it’s not been raining 24 hours every day. The parade of very expensive jackets is very annoying to me, and I speak as a supporter of Chris Packham and Wild Justice.
I agree, but then I've felt the same about it for a long time. I'll watch it if it's on, but don't treat it as essential viewing, which is disappointing as there's not a glut of decent wildlife programmes on the TV, and I seem to spend as much time outdoors with binoculars in hand as I do riding so should be the target audience. (Often both combined!).
When I've chatted to members of the ornithological group I'm in, few of them watch it either. I'm not sure who it's aimed at.
I think the Water Shrew might be on my new list of favourite little animals everer.
What a lovely little creature!
Loved the water shrew.
It was very hard to watch the short eared owlet eat its sibling with relish. But it's all part of nature. I think one of my siblings wished they'd eaten me years ago :0)
I've just read that the whole spring watch site is run on hydrogen. Quite pleased about that.
Well I never, baby robins.
A couple of evenings ago we cycled to the edge of the Peak District with a teatime picnic, to watch the local barn owl quartering. On average the parent bird caught prey every 10 minutes. We kept our distance from the nest and were rewarded when the owl came quite close.
On average the parent bird caught prey every 10 minutes.
That's really impressive, never knew they could be that prolific a hunter.
That's really impressive, never knew they could be that prolific a hunter.
The habitat at this particular site is superb. Acres upon acres of long grass scrub and wildflower meadows. The weather was good as well. Had it been a wet, windy evening the prey catch would have been small in comparison (barn owls are not waterproof).
I'd post a video of the owl hunting but it's too big for the site. Might pop it up elsewhere later
I’m disappointed that there’s not much footage of the birds actually flying, I could do without the lobster bit, the deer that keep featuring are there every day and can be seen from the road. Having seen the short eared owls up there when I’ve been riding, and also watching them several days on The Solway Coast they are worth seeing. Yesterday, on Totley Moss, I watched two Curlews driving away a Buzzard.
This is a feelgood thread. If you don't like Springwatch or just want to complain about Chris's jacket etc, (at least he wears the same clothes for many years) then there are other threads for that.
This is a feelgood thread. If you don't like Springwatch or just want to complain about Chris's jacket etc, (at least he wears the same clothes for many years) then there are other threads for that.
Yeah, just pick one of the many Springwatch threads! 😀
I did notice that Iolo's top had stains all over it the other night. He looked a little trampish. A friend bumped into him (in the same place I saw my mystery bird, below!) last year and said he's a good guy.
I've seen a couple of this series, fast forwarded through parts, and watched some of the more interesting segments. The only bird box I've really watched is the redstart because I've been trying to spot a particular plumage detail - I need to see the bird in flight, from behind to see if there's a flash of white on the male's wings. I saw what I initially thought was a lesser spotted woodpecker on the way to work last week, then realised it wasn't - larger and wrong plumage - then thought it might be a male redstart and am now thinking it was possibly a black redstart, but can't confirm because I can't find this particular view of the bird!
I think my criticism is valid and doesn’t detract from the viewing of others. I was making the point that the nest cams can be viewed online, 10.00 - 22.00, some more footage of animals in action would be more enjoyable. A short eared owl is quite distinctive in flight and hunts in daylight, I’d never seen one until April this year and it took me a while to identify. I have learnt a lot so far, I knew hares spread their young around but didn’t know they only fed them every 12 hours. That lead to me researching hares, it’s legal to hunt and kill them all year round. Makes you think doesn’t it.
I need to see the bird in flight, from behind to see if there's a flash of white on the male's wings. I saw what I initially thought was a lesser spotted woodpecker on the way to work last week, then realised it wasn't - larger and wrong plumage - then thought it might be a male redstart and am now thinking it was possibly a black redstart, but can't confirm because I can't find this particular view of the bird!
Not much white on a black redstart
https://www.birdguides.com/gallery/birds/phoenicurus-ochruros/1120518/
There's a dash so it's not impossible - but maybe a bullfinch, or a wheatear?
Not much white on a black redstart
You are absolutely right, I just wanted to rule it out because some of the juves seem to have a white flash in the right place.
There's a dash so it's not impossible - but maybe a bullfinch, or a wheatear?
Defo not one of those, but funny that you mention wheatear. If you picture that obvious white flash on the tail of a wheatear, and move it up to the extended wing, that's what I saw. A mainly black robin sized bird, with a white blast on the wing!
@wheelsonfire1 my criticism wasn't aimed at you.
You have a genuine point.
Childish I know, but I thought Chris putting the maggot's bottom breathing hole in his mouth was very funny and let's face it we all need a laugh.
I'm looking forward to Iolo showing us the red squirrels tomorrow.
Childish I know, but I thought Chris putting the maggot's bottom breathing hole in his mouth was very funny and let's face it we all need a laugh.
Yeah, "I'll let the viewers decide what I was doing" made me chuckle I must confess. Lol
As someone who is allergic to stings, I shall be observing bees even more closely to spot the hoverflies. I also remember finding wood ant nests when I was a child, I must find one to show my Grandson.
Last night Chris and wotsit were waxing lyrical about ticks. They looked quite nonplussed when the tick jumped on to one of them.
when the tick jumped on to one of them.
I was wondering if you could get round the whole electrostatic tick magnet thing by earthing yourself, maybe trailing a copper wire on the ground as you walk around.
I prefer to trust Smidge.